13 Sept.

AN AUDIENCE OF THE EMPEROR, 1584

travel,court_patronage,money_legal,angelic_spiritual

Thursday, mane, hora 7. Praga:. I received the Noble Octavius Spinola his answer by Emericus, as concerning my accepting of the Emperor his gracious former answer of condescending to my request, so much as he conveniently could: which my answer yesterday night late was delivered to the Noble Spinola. Whereunto he said that my answer would be most acceptable unto the Emperor: and that tomorrow (meaning this Thursday) the honourable Dr Curtz should understand the Emperor's pleasure herein. Hereupon I willed Emericus to go up to the Castle and to bring himself in sight of the Noble Spinola, if he could: thereby to help his memory, for warning and information to be given to the said Dr Curtz: that so we might come together so soon as conveniently might be. Mane, horam circiter 9. Praga:. Having finished our prayers, and the case propounded of the Emperor his answer for dealing with Dr Curtz (a man of his Privy Council: faithful, learned and wise), upon the considerations alleged, I requested of God his pleasure to be signified unto me, by some of his faithful and true messagers: whether I shall openly and frankly deal with this Doctor, so, as the Emperor by him may understand that which he should have done at my mouth and hands originally: and whether I may, both alone with the Emperor as before, and with the said Doctor, deal in this Action 'as occasion shall serve from time to time, at my discretion, informed by his secret grace divine. Nothing appearing or being heard in a quarter of an hour space, I suspected some of our misdoings to be the cause of the Lord his refraining to answer. After my prayers and assuring E.K. that the spiritual enemy was here busy and attempted to frustrate this day's Action, he answered that against him (E.K.) he could not prevail or accuse him for his late notable fault: for he had made a reckoning and sorrowful bewailing for that his I!t. 146 I!t.